Multiple arm articulating mounting system

Abstract

A low profile moveable mounting system for mounting a device to a surface. According to various embodiments, a first pair of rotating arms is rotatably connected to a surface plate attachable to a surface, and a second pair of arms are rotatably connected to the first pair of arms and to a device bracket. The moveable mounting system is selectively moveable between an extended orientation, where the device bracket is horizontally displaced from the surface and a retracted orientation, where the device bracket is positionable within close proximity of the surface. The moveable mounting system may be particularly adapted for mounting a flat panel display device.

1 . A moveable mounting system for attaching a device to a surface, comprising:
 a surface plate adapted for attachment to the surface;   one or more surface pivots operatively connected to the surface plate;   an arm assembly comprising a plurality of arms including:
 a first arm rotatably connected at its first end to one of the one or more surface pivots; 
 a second arm rotatably connected at its first end to one of the one or more surface pivots; 
 a third arm rotatably connected to a second end of the first arm; 
 a fourth arm rotatably connected to a second end of the second arm; and 
   a device bracket rotatably connected at a central axle to the third arm and the fourth arm,   wherein a portion of the third arm and a portion of the fourth arm proximate the central axle are partially nestable with each other, and wherein the moveable mounting system is selectively moveable between an extended orientation, where the device bracket is disposed a distance from the surface plate, and a retracted orientation, where the device bracket is disposed proximate the surface plate and where the first and second arms are substantially parallel to the surface plate.   
   
   
       2 . The moveable mounting system of  claim 1 , wherein the surface plate includes a device bracket opening configured to partially receive at least a portion of the device bracket, and wherein the device bracket is partially nestable within the surface plate when in the retracted orientation. 
   
   
       3 . The moveable mounting system of  claim 2 , wherein the one or more surface pivots are at least partially recessed within the surface plate. 
   
   
       4 . The moveable mounting system of  claim 3 , wherein at least a portion of the device bracket is receivable within a void in the surface underlying the device bracket opening when the moveably mounting system is in the retracted orientation. 
   
   
       5 . The moveable mounting system of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second ends of the first and second arms are characterized by a pivot portion adapted to receive an arm axle. 
   
   
       6 . The moveable mounting system of  claim 5 , wherein the arm axle is selectively adjustable to modify rotational friction between one the plurality of arms in relation to another of the plurality of arms. 
   
   
       7 . The moveable mounting system of  claim 1 , wherein the surface plate includes a pivot opening configured to partially receive at least a portion of the arm assembly when the adjustable mounting system is in the retracted orientation. 
   
   
       8 . The moveable mounting system of  claim 1 , wherein the device may be rotated substantially 180 degrees about the central axle when the moveable mounting system is in at least a partially extended orientation. 
   
   
       9 . The moveable mounting system of  claim 1 , further comprising a device adapter rotatably coupled to the device bracket, wherein the device adapter is adapted for mounting a flat panel display device, and wherein the flat panel display device is tillable about a substantially horizontal axis of rotation substantially parallel to the surface. 
   
   
       10 . The moveable mounting system of  claim 9 , wherein the moveable mounting system is orientated in the retracted orientation and the flat panel display device is substantially parallel to the surface, and wherein a rear surface of the flat panel display device is disposed a maximum of about 0.75 inches from the surface. 
   
   
       11 . The moveable mounting system of  claim 1 , wherein the first arm is vertically spaced apart from the third arm, and wherein the second arm is vertically spaced apart from the fourth arm. 
   
   
       12 . A moveable mounting system configured to attach a device to a mounting surface, comprising:
 a surface plate adapted for attachment to the mounting surface and including an opening;   a plurality of surface pivots at least partially recessed in the surface plate;   a first arm assembly including:
 a first plurality of arms, each of the first plurality of arms including:
 a first pivot portion rotatably connected to one of the plurality of surface pivots, and 
 a second pivot portion; 
 
   a second arm assembly including:
 a second plurality of arms, each of the second plurality of arms rotatably connected to one of the first plurality of arms at the second pivot portion, the second plurality of arms at least partially nestable with each other; and 
   a device bracket rotatably connected to the second plurality of arms,   wherein the moveable mounting system is selectively moveable between an extended orientation, where the device bracket is horizontally disposed a distance from the surface plate, and a retracted orientation, where the device bracket is at least partially nested within the opening.   
   
   
       13 . The moveable mounting system of  claim 12 , wherein the first pair of arms comprises a left first arm and a right first arm, and wherein the second pair of arms comprises a left second arm and a right second arm. 
   
   
       14 . The moveable mounting system of  claim 12 , further comprising a central axle operatively connected to the device bracket, wherein the second plurality of arms are rotatably connected to the central axle. 
   
   
       15 . The moveable mounting system of  claim 14 , wherein the device is rotatable substantially 180 degrees about an axis of rotation defined by the central axle. 
   
   
       16 . The moveable mounting system of  claim 12 , wherein the first plurality of arms is vertically separated from the second plurality of arms. 
   
   
       17 . The moveable mounting system of  claim 12 , further including a device adapter rotatably coupled to the device bracket, and wherein the device adapter is adapted for attachment to a flat panel display device. 
   
   
       18 . The moveable mounting system of  claim 12 , wherein the first plurality of arms and the second plurality of arms are substantially parallel and proximate the surface plate when the moveable mounting system is in the retracted orientation. 
   
   
       19 . The moveable mounting system of  claim 12 , wherein at least a portion of the first pivot portion and the second pivot portion are partially nestable in the surface plate. 
   
   
       20 . A moveable mounting system configured to attach a display device to a mounting surface, comprising:
 a surface plate adapted for attachment to the mounting surface and having an opening;   an arm assembly including a first arm and a second arm, the first arm rotatably attached to the surface plate and a medial pivot, the medial pivot rotatably connecting the first arm and the second arm;   a device bracket rotatably connected to the second arm distal the medial pivot; and   a display device operatively connected to the device bracket,   wherein the moveable mounting system is selectively moveable between an extended orientation, where the device bracket is horizontally disposed a distance from the surface plate, and a retracted orientation, where the device bracket is at least partially nested within the opening.